Wednesday 09 August 2017
- Bible Book:
- John
“Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.” (v. 45)
Psalm: Psalm 53
Background
The raising of Lazarus from death led many of those whowitnessed it to join the growing number of Jesus' followers (verse45). As Jesus himself would say to Thomas much later, 'You believebecause you see, but even more blessed are those who don't see, yetbelieve' (John 20:29). If we're honest, we're all morewilling to believe something once we have seen some evidence toback it up, so let's not be too harsh in judging the massesmentioned in verse 45 who believed in Jesus after witnessingLazarus being raised from the dead.
This event is a turning point - not just for all those peoplewho became believers as a result of it, but also for how thingswere going to pan out for Jesus and his disciples from hereonwards. The Jewish ruling body first saw him as a threat (verses47-48), and then after Caiaphas' pep talk, as a pawn (verse 50).Both options have the same ultimate goal: Jesus must die.
Meanwhile, word about Jesus is spreading fast. As more peoplehear what happened to Lazarus, more people turn up to catch aglimpse of Jesus in action (verse 56). Jesus, meanwhile, hadwithdrawn from the bustle to spend more time with his disciples(verse 54).
To Ponder
- Why do you think the Pharisees and chief priests were soconcerned about Jesus' popularity?
- If you were a leader and suddenly became very famous, how wouldyou cope?